Trump Officials Weigh Sanctions Relief for Russian Direct Investment Fund, Moscow Says

Trump administration officials are considering easing sanctions on the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), according to a Russian official involved in the negotiations. The potential relief was raised as part of broader discussions between Washington and Moscow over ending the war in Ukraine, signaling a possible shift in economic leverage. The RDIF, Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, has been under U.S. sanctions since 2022, restricting its ability to attract foreign capital and partner with international investors. Russia has repeatedly pushed for sanctions relief as a key economic benefit in any peace deal, and this latest development suggests the Kremlin is testing the new administration’s willingness to unwind punitive measures. While no final decision has been made, the talks underscore how economic incentives are intertwined with diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. If sanctions are relaxed, it could open new financing channels for Russian state projects and signal a broader thaw in U.S.-Russia economic relations—but it also risks backlash from European allies and Ukraine, who argue that sanctions relief should come only after a full Russian withdrawal. The coming weeks will reveal whether this is a genuine policy shift or a negotiation tactic.